The Andrews Labor Government today unveiled Victoria’s Regional Statement, a new vision for our regions that will change the way government works with the Loddon Campaspe region.
Premier Daniel Andrews today joined Minister for Regional Development, Jaala Pulford, and regional leaders from across the state at Brown Brother’s Winery in Milawa, to launch the Regional Statement and outline the Labor Government’s commitment to rural and regional Victorians.
The Regional Statement will give regional communities a stronger voice in government decision-making by directing priorities identified by regional communities straight into the heart of the Labor Government’s agenda.
The centrepiece of the Statement is the establishment of nine new Regional Partnerships across the state, with representatives from community, business and all three levels of government.
The Partnerships will be formed in nine regions covering rural and regional Victoria, which have been defined to reflect the real communities-of-interest that exist throughout regional Victoria.
The new Loddon Campaspe Region, which encompasses Shire of Campaspe, Shire of Central Goldfields, City of Greater Bendigo, Shire of Loddon, Shire of Macedon Ranges and Shire of Mount Alexander, will have its own Regional Partnership, ensuring government decisions and investments reflect the priorities of the families, workers and businesses in Loddon Campaspe.
The Statement outlines the Labor Government’s significant commitments and investments for regional Victorians and highlights the opportunities and challenges for the Loddon Campaspe region.
The Labor Government will work with the Loddon Campaspe region to address these challenges, including:
- Improving productivity and job creation while continuing to support irrigation farmers through a period of immense change
- Improving the appreciation of cultural diversity through initiatives such as the ‘Aspire Precinct’ interfaith development - a learning, community and business hub for the Greater Bendigo community
- Improving health and education outcomes in Maryborough, which is one of the most disadvantaged postcodes in Victoria
The Statement also outlines a number of new initiatives that will put the Government back to work for the Loddon Campaspe, including:
- Developing a $34 million Regional Skills and Training package that will help local communities in Loddon Campaspe, particularly disadvantaged groups and areas, access the training they need to get the jobs they want
- Investing up to $25 million to upgrade ‘first and last kilometre’ routes across regional Victoria through the Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund. This will grow local agriculture by cutting travel times and costs for Loddon Campaspe Region producers
- Delivering better reception for mobile devices along the Bendigo V/Line rail route through the Regional Rail Connectivity Project, making it easier for commuters and visitors to and from regional Victoria
- Revitalising our regional economic services by transitioning our Regional Development Victoria offices into Regional Business Centres, with one of the first to be the Bendigo office. The Centres will provide a one-stop-shop for businesses looking to grow
- Developing a pipeline of the ten most significant regional tourism projects to fully realise the economic potential of the State’s iconic assets, creating jobs, attracting new generations of domestic and international tourists, and increasing visitor spending opportunities
The Regional Statement is available online at , along with details of the Labor Government’s commitments and projects currently underway to support the Loddon Campaspe region.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We’re putting government back to work for the Loddon Campaspe region with a commitment to create jobs, provide a better start for young people and ensure a brighter future for families and communities.”
“The Statement will make sure that more than ever, government is working for regional communities. Not those with the loudest voices – but the families, workers and communities that are the heart and soul of regional Victoria.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan
“No government should ever take regional Victoria for granted. Families in Loddon Campaspe deserve a government that works as hard as they do – and that’s what this Statement is all about.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
“Our new approach will harness input directly from our regions so that government decisions and investments reflect what really matters to Loddon Campaspe families, workers and communities.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
“The new Regional Partnerships model will ensure the Government is acting locally to address local opportunities and challenges in the new Loddon Campaspe region.”
Reviewed 10 February 2021